Standing in front of a giant sign that said “Increasing Accountability,” Premier Christy Clark and Attorney General Shirley Bond introduced the head of the new civilian office to investigate complaints against police in B.C.

His name is Richard Rosenthal and he is a former American prosecutor who has held similar jobs in Denver and in Portland. His new office is expected to be up and running by mid-2012 and will look at complaints against both the RCMP and muncipal police in B.C.

And representatives of the Mounties and other policing agencies were on hand at a news conference Wednesday to welcome the appointment.

Clark said the budget for the new office has not been finalized, but could be in the $10-million a year range.

Rosenthal said he is looking for qualified, dedicated investigators who can be both civilian and ex-police officers.

The father of Alvin Wright, the 22-year-old Langley man shot by three Mounties in August 2010, is outraged that B.C.’s new independent investigation office will not look at old police incidents that have resulted in serious harm or death.

But what is this statement from;

Asst. Commissioner Craig Callens, who held his first press conference as commanding officer of B.C.’s ‘E’ Division Friday
B.C.’s new top Mountie promised on Friday expanded services, accountability, transparency, and a “respectful workplace” for RCMP officers in the province.
Speaking at his first press conference as the new commanding officer of “E” Division, Asst. Commissioner Craig Callens told reporters that in light of recent allegations by several female Mounties of sexual harassment in the workforce, as well as other controversial incidents involving the RCMP such as the 2007 tasering death of Robert Dziekanski, he will make accountability a priority.

Callens said he welcomes the recent appointment of Richard Rosenthal as the chief civilian director of the new independent investigation office, which will examine police incidents that resulted in death or serious harm.

So, What exactly will the New Independent Investigation Office really do or accomplish, oh yea I forgot, the RCMP are exempted from Provincial Law, because of their Federal Blanket being Canada’s top police force![I wonder what the Fine print on their contract, say’s!!] Yea, they will get a little internal slap on the hands and may be a reprimand etc, but no criminal charges.
Guess the Provincial police forces will take the brunt, since they do not have the same status as the, RCMP.

An American??? No qualified Canadians?? Is he getting paid in US or Canadian $$? Baby steps, but at least it’s steps in the right direction. Ya sure they’ll investigate, but how far are they willing to discipline and punish these rogue cops?? Are they going to maintain the status quo of paid leave and transfers just like the Catholic Church does????

Men who run around town “drunk like sailors” could give their heads a good shake.
Fighting after the bars and pubs close is crazy makin’. Ease up on the beer, wine
and spirits ’cause a night in the drunk tank is no fun. I would hate to do bar patrol
because no one makes sense and there are really,really mean drunks out there.
If you don’t know how to behave then stay home and drink rootbeer. The bars scene
might never change. I hope that young males show some CLASS and drink in moderation.

There seems to be some confusion over precisely what type of police situations Mr Rosenthal and his group will deal with. The $10 million budget has to cover more than only situations covering death or serious injury involving the police. Is the Rosenthal group also going to take over all ‘in custody’ deaths as well … that are now being investigated by the coroner? What about drug overdose situations where the police are called and and have technical custody of the ‘body’ at the actual time of death? Or allegations excessive force? Or what about crimes allegedly committed by the police like shoplifting, fraudulent overtime claims, sexual harassment and the like that are reprehensible for an officer to participate in but do sometimes take place? In short where does the responsibility of the Commissioner or respective Chief of Police stop and the authority of Mr Rosenthal take over? And within that question what role will the determinations of recruiting, training, posting, promotion, supervision, crime and investigational workloads and short and long term detachment or section manpower availability play in the considerations upon which the findings are based? Hopefully someone has answers that will enable Mr Rosenthal to work WITH the police rather than with strongly biased people like politicians and those in the BCCLA.

Hey Kim,
What’s up with the rumor of Brassington trying to get David Butcher for a defense lawyer. Wasn’t Butcher already refused $ he wanted to defend a S6 defendant?
No conflict of interest, here? I know Butcher has defended other police, but!
Wonder what Butchers take on it is?
Brassington was the lead RCMP Investigation Officer on the S6 investigation!
Where did the $ come from for Butcher, if he was limited before, has the limit been, upped or is Brassington, himself or some one else is paying the bill?

Also heard, there is more charges coming down on Brassington and his crew, seems they were real partiers and a lot more!

I am not sure who Brassington has hired. David Butcher is not representing anyone on Surrey Six. I do believe funding agreements were reached for the lawyers who wanted them in Surrey Six. So I don’t think there is a conflict in this case. But if the Crown thinks there is, I am sure they will raise it in court. Remember that the Brassington case is expected to be a relatively short trial – unlike SUrrey Six that could go on for years. So I am assuming the cop accused can afford to pay their own lawyers.

A Police Act investigation has found no wrongdoing on the part of the Victoria police officer captured on video kicking two men.

A report by New Westminster police Chief David Jones, released Wednesday, found Const. Chris Bowser did not abuse his authority by kicking 24-year-old Harpinder Kang and 20-year-old Tyler Archer, who were both on the ground at the time following a drunken brawl outside a downtown nightclub on March 21, 2010.

What exactly is your valid point? Have you even been to a bar in Victoria? It
has become an array of puking, peeing in public, and lots of fighting. No one
can just go for a couple of drinks and go home. This is a sad excuse to be
punching and carrying on in the streets. Look what happened on Douglas & View
Streets. This was a sad case of “two boys being boys.” One walks away, one
goes to the hospital. The victim ends up dead hours later in the hospital.
“A BAR IS NEVER A DAYCARE FOR MALES.” The police have to deal with all
types of drunks who make the local bar scene a huge joke. What was YOUR point again?

An excellent post from Langford hamster. Nightclubs and pubs are for entertainment
and good times. A place to meet others then go for a slice of pizza, burger & fries or
a pop. Please think first. Fighting brings on a lot of damage to others. If you have
anger management issues, you could get help. Alcohol issues requires serious help!
Liquor establishments want your business but not if they are being questioned by
police later. There is a delicate balance between drinking AND having fun on the town!

The drunk defence is NEVER good enough in this lifetime. If you get caught disturbing the peace or fighting just go to the drunk tank without fighting. Resisting arrest is just a loser’s way out. Take it like a REAL man or woman. Just go with it! Avoid making the situation worse. You will lose in the end! Good luck to the new guy in the complaints dept.

Yeah! Social drinking is the best bet yet…The bar scene is out of control!
As for allegations, cops deal with hundreds if not thousands of cases/calls
a year. This is not an occupation for everyone. Never be disrespectful of
those people who could one day save your life… Amen~!~

Drink, dance, go home quietly. Nowhere is it written that you have to make a fool
of yourself in the bar or on the street. Fighting means that you can’t handle your
liquor at all. Go home, be happy! I wonder if the new guy in the complaints dept
will enjoy dealing with these quirky issues?! Play fair & things will be okay!